Area high-schoolers had to deal with a golf course-sized wind tunnel Monday at the Iola Invitational, hosted by Allen County Country Club.
South winds averaging about 20 mph, with gusts approaching 40 mph, played havoc on drives, chips and anything else not bolted to the ground.
In the end, Wellsville’s Aiden Kearney bested 41 other golfers, carding an 82, two strokes clear of Anderson County’s Lane Richards.
Locally, Iola High freshman Chris Holloway shot 91 to take home sixth place.
Mustang teammate Josh Kaufman wasn’t far behind, tying for 11th at 96.
Both Iola golfers were remarkably consistent, playing through the nine-hole course twice. Holloway completed the first nine holes in 45 strokes, and the second nine in 46. Kaufman, meanwhile, completed both rounds with mirror 48 scores.
With only two golfers, Iola did not qualify for a team score.
Humboldt’s Brennen Neussen led all Cub golfers with a score of 104 (55-49) to tie for 18th.
Others competing for Humboldt were Colton Slocum in 32nd (59-63—122), Clay Shannon in 37th (67-60—127), Emma B’Hymer at 39th (72-58—13) and Stephen Leo in 40th (67-64—131).
Wellsville also captured the team title with a score of 352. Runner-up Independence was 24 strikes behind. Humboldt’s squad took seventh as a team at 483.
